Afternoon notes on Kim, Wieters and more

Afternoon notes on Kim, Wieters and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Outfielder Hyun Soo Kim said today through his interpreter that he hasn't read the FOXSports.com article stating that the Orioles are holding internal discussions about sending him back to Korea. He didn't have a comment for reporters who approached his locker. Asked whether he feels good about his chances of making the team, Kim replied, "There's much more I have to show, so as far as performance-wise, there's more to go. I don't want to complain or anything. I'll just...

Talking rotation, Rickard and the roster

Talking rotation, Rickard and the roster
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles begin a stretch tonight when they'll play four of their last six Grapefruit League games at 6:05 p.m. Nothing like being under the lights to get you ready for the regular season. The Orioles travel to McKechnie Field in Bradenton to face the Pirates, which is more like playing under the flashlights. Ubaldo Jimenez will take the mound after making his last two starts at Twin Lakes Park. Jimenez allowed a combined one run and five hits over 10 2/3 innings against...

Morning notes on Wieters, Gausman, Tolleson and Matusz

Morning notes on Wieters, Gausman, Tolleson and Matusz
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters will throw to the bases today in potentially the final step before he's cleared to move back behind the plate. Manager Buck Showalter and bench coach John Russell met with Wieters yesterday to formulate a plan. Wieters hasn't caught since March 12, leaving the game after the first inning with right elbow soreness. "We're moving towards it quickly," Wieters said. "We're going to throw to bases today, see how it goes and go from there. Right...

Wrapping up an 11-10 10-inning win (plus other notes)

Wrapping up an 11-10 10-inning win (plus other notes)
SARASOTA, Fla. - Five home runs almost weren't enough today for the Orioles. Then their game carried into the 10th inning, they fell behind by two runs and scored three to notch their second walk-off win in two days. Garabez Rosa, back here again from minor league camp, delivered a two-run single into center field off Matt Tracy to give the Orioles an 11-10 victory over the Yankees, who never recorded an out in the inning. The Yankees scored twice off minor league pitcher Stefan Crichton in...

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event

Notes on Brian Matusz, pitching and music event
SARASOTA, Fla. - Unable to determine whether he's headed to the disabled list, the best that Orioles reliever Brian Matusz can do today is pick up a ball, play catch and wait for a resolution. Matusz will throw for the first time since receiving a cortisone injection in his lower back following Sunday's outing, when he retired all three batters he faced but didn't appear comfortable on the mound. Asked for an update this morning on his condition, Matusz said, "I feel great." But is it too...

This, that and the other

This, that and the other
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles are sending Chris Tillman to the mound this afternoon for their game against the Yankees. The right-hander is making his third Grapefruit League start. Will he be the starter again on opening day? In setting up his rotation, manager Buck Showalter is checking how the candidates have fared against the Twins. He's also checking their numbers against future opponents in April and in the other ballparks. The only certainty at this point is that Tillman, Yovani Gallardo...

Quick hits before today's game

Quick hits before today's game
SARASOTA, Fla. - Orioles catcher Matt Wieters threw from 120 feet today and seems to be nearing a start behind the plate. Wieters won't catch until he's throwing to the bases with maximum force. Reliever Chaz Roe left camp to be with his wife for the birth of their second baby. Left-hander Brian Matusz stayed home today because he's experiencing flu-like symptoms. It's another blow to a guy who's trying to get back on the mound after being shut down again with soreness in his lower...

Game update and lots from Buck Showalter

Game update and lots from Buck Showalter
BRADENTON, Fla. - Miguel Gonzalez got off to another rough start today against the Pirates, falling behind 3-0 after two innings. The Orioles right-hander served up a solo home run to Andrew McCutchen with the count full and one out in the first inning. He hit David Freese, who scored on Francisco Cervelli's two-out double down the left field line. Josh Harrison led off the second with a bloop double to right-center field, and he scored on Jordy Mercer's single into center. Two batters into...

Orioles sign reliever Zach Phillips

Orioles sign reliever Zach Phillips
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles have signed left-hander Zach Phillips to a major league deal and designated Chris Jones for assignment, providing an insurance policy for their bullpen. Phillips took his physical last night and was re-introduced to the media this morning in an informal interview session. This is a reunion for Phillips, who pitched for the Orioles in 2011 and 2012 after being acquired from the Rangers in July 2011. He went 0-0 with a 3.21 ERA in 16 appearances. Phillips, 29, elected...

Showalter on whether Matusz goes on DL: "There's that possibility with him" (updated)

Showalter on whether Matusz goes on DL: "There's that possibility with him" (updated)
FORT MYERS, Fla. - The news on Matt Wieters today is good. It's somewhat encouraging on Kevin Gausman. It's pretty bad on Brian Matusz and Jimmy Paredes. As I wrote earlier, Wieters played catch from 90 feet today and his right elbow continues to improve. He also continues to take batting practice and was a consideration for the designated hitter role in Wednesday's game in Bradenton. "That's an attendance game, so I don't want to put us in any jeopardy," said manager Buck Showalter....

Taking a look at a few spring performances

Taking a look at a few spring performances
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Jeff Beliveau made his spring debut yesterday at Twin Lakes Park and threw a scoreless inning against low Single-A Bowling Green. He walked one batter. Beliveau hadn't pitched since undergoing labrum surgery in April. I wondered yesterday why the Orioles hadn't brought over first baseman/outfielder Mike Carp from minor league camp. Well, I've got my answer. He's sidelined with a right rotator cuff strain. We're less than two weeks away from opening day at...

Wrapping up an 8-8 tie

Wrapping up an 8-8 tie
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles reassigned left-hander Jeff Beliveau and outfielder Alfredo Marte to minor league camp today, leaving 43 players in major league camp, including eight non-roster invitees. Beliveau will pitch in his first game on Monday at the minor league complex. Marte was 7-for-25 with a home run and four RBIs. "Good swing," manager Buck Showalter said of Marte. "You can see he's a professional hitter. A little better defensively than I was led to believe. That's why you...

A reminder about the magic of sports

A reminder about the magic of sports
SARASOTA, Fla. - Chris Tillman remains the Orioles' starter for today's game against the Rays at Ed Smith Stadium. Manager Buck Showalter didn't switch Tillman's assignment following yesterday's rainout in Port Charlotte. Jonathan Schoop will start at second base, making at least one young fan extremely happy. He's not just any fan. He's a 5-year-old boy fighting T-cell leukemia. Give him Jonathan Schoop. Give him anything he wants. The Orioles, through the Casey Cares Foundation,...

Wieters taking live batting practice today (plus Rays lineup)

Wieters taking live batting practice today (plus Rays lineup)
SARASOTA, Fla. - The Orioles haven't posted their lineup, but left-hander Brian Matusz will accompany them to Port Charlotte for today's game against the Rays. Matusz hasn't pitched since March 2 due to a strained muscle in his lower back. Other relievers behind starter Yovani Gallardo include T.J. McFarland, Brad Brach, Chaz Roe, Pedro Beato and Todd Redmond. Pedro Alvarez and Hyun Soo Kim also are on the trip. Matt Wieters is taking live batting practice this morning after hitting off a...

Notes on Jimmy Paredes, Brian Matusz and Chris Davis

Notes on Jimmy Paredes, Brian Matusz and Chris Davis
SARASOTA, Fla. - Jimmy Paredes said his left wrist feels much better, the plastic brace no longer worn, and he hopes to swing a bat within a week. Paredes would be taking dry swings instead of facing live pitching, but it's a start. Up to this point, he's only been cleared to swing with his right hand since an MRI didn't reveal any broken bones in the wrist, which he injured while diving for a ball on March 3 in Port Charlotte. "It's doing pretty well," he said. "Every day it's getting...

Showalter on Wieters, Hardy and more pregame in Fort Myers

Showalter on Wieters, Hardy and more pregame in Fort Myers
FORT MYERS, Fla. - Orioles manager Buck Showalter continues to be encouraged about catcher Matt Wieters and his return from a sore right elbow. He expects him to be ready for opening day. He just doesn't have a timetable yet for Wieters to get in another spring training game. "Now that he has most of the discomfort out of there," Showalter said. "Now he goes into some strengthening procedures and we'll get a ball in his hand as soon as possible. Let's see where we are on Monday. We've...

Notes on Wieters, Matusz, Britton and more

Notes on Wieters, Matusz, Britton and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - Renowned orthopedist Dr. James Andrews examined Matt Wieters' MRI and concurred with team physicians who said there were no signs of structural damage. More good news for the Orioles, who held obvious concerns about Wieters after he exited Saturday's game with right wrist soreness. Left-hander Brian Matusz could get into a game this weekend after being sidelined with a strained muscle in his lower back. He hasn't pitched since making his only appearance on March 2. Manager...

Matusz on his bullpen session and more from Wieters

Matusz on his bullpen session and more from Wieters
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz indicated that his back responded favorably after yesterday's bullpen session, his first since being shut down with a strained muscle in his lower back. "It was good," he said. "I threw about 25 pitches and felt good." Matusz has worked only one inning this spring, on March 2 against the Braves. He's been eager to resume throwing, but also understanding that he couldn't rush it and risk a setback. The next step is for Matusz to follow up with...

Notes on Wieters MRI, morning roster cuts and more

Notes on Wieters MRI, morning roster cuts and more
SARASOTA, Fla. - There seems to be improvement in the condition of Matt Wieters' right elbow, but the Orioles scheduled a 10 a.m. MRI for their catcher with team orthopedist Dr. Michael Jacobs. "He said he's lost some of the soreness and the swelling is gone for the most part," said manager Buck Showalter. "It's gotten better every day. He felt better today than he did yesterday, so day to day. "I don't go up to him every day and ask, 'Exactly how did it feel? How did it feel at 7...

Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters: "My heart dropped for him"

Caleb Joseph on Matt Wieters: "My heart dropped for him"
SARASOTA, Fla. - Left-hander Brian Matusz will try to throw off a mound today in the next step in his recovery from a strained muscle in his lower back. Matusz has made only one appearance, allowing a run and two hits in one inning against the Braves on March 2. Matusz session comes one day after left-hander T.J. McFarland threw about 25 pitches in the bullpen. McFarland had some inflammation in his elbow. Jeff Beliveau played long toss yesterday after throwing live batting practice Saturday...